Snorkelling safety

The easiest way to enjoy the splendour of the Great Barrier Reef is simply to snorkel in its warm, clear waters. Lying on the surface, watching the reef society go about its daily business below is both intriguing and relaxing. Everyone can enjoy snorkelling these beautiful coral gardens year-round.

Here are a few tips on how to enjoy snorkelling safely whatever your age or swimming ability.

New to Snorkelling?

At Barrier Reef Australia, we have a saying; “If you can breathe through your mouth, you can snorkel, it is just a matter of not breathing through your nose. If you are a snorer then you are a fully qualified snorkeller for sure!”

If you are new to snorkelling, however, it’s best to go on an organised tour. All tours give either an entertaining “How to Snorkel” briefing or present an instructional video, on the cruise out to the snorkelling sites. They show you how to use the mask, snorkel and fins and what floatation devices, such as foam noodles and life jackets can be used to help you float effortlessly above the reef. This is the best time for you to put your hand up and ask any questions that you may have.

All tour boats have staff of many different nationalities, so there is usually someone who can explain the briefing in your own language if there’s something you don’t understand. Their staff can also help you with any particular concerns you might have regarding any past or current medical or health issues, or your swimming ability and fitness level.

If you’re not planning to join a tour, simply ask for advice wherever you get your gear. They can advise on how to check your mask fits, how to use the snorkelling gear and where best to snorkel.

Snorkelling is easy

You’ll enjoy snorkelling more when you have mastered the basic principle: lying flat on the surface, legs straight and finning gently to keep moving slowly along the reef. Look down and slightly ahead and simply watch the underwater world unfold before you.

If you want to learn more about the marine life that inhabits the reef – and learn a little about the ‘reef society’ – go on an organised tour and join the guided ‘snorkel tour’ given by the tour staff.

Alternately you can buy a fish and coral identification slate and take it into the water with you. See how many species you can identify.

Additional Safety Tips

Always stay within agreed or designated snorkelling areas. Snorkelling can be mesmerising – so remember to look around on the surface periodically and reorientate yourself to your entry point.

If you are not snorkelling on an organised tour, always snorkel with a buddy – you can keep an eye on each other and it’s more fun to share your underwater discoveries.

Whilst snorkelling is not considered a strenuous activity, it’s best to discuss any medical concerns you may have with the resort water sports staff or onboard crew so that they can advise you and ensure you enjoy your day in total safety and comfort.

They can also help you with any particular concerns you have regarding your past or current medical or health issues, your swimming ability or fitness level, or what you might encounter in the water.

Do not touch any of the marine life. Most marine species are coated in a protective layer of mucous and rubbing this off leaves them exposed to infection. More importantly, many creatures including the corals of the reef itself, have a touch-sensitive stinging defence mechanism.

If the water above a section of reef is too shallow don’t risk getting stranded – it’s impossible to fin backwards. Keep the corals at least at arm’s length – that’s the perfect distance to observe the marine life without frightening it away.

If you are not so competent about your swimming ability – take a floatation device with you. That way you can stay horizontal and on the surface. Remember to keep your fins close to the surface so you can avoid damaging any of the fragile corals – even accidentally.

Note that it is illegal to damage or remove anything from the Great Barrier Reef, and even the smallest breakages can take decades to regrow.

Great Barrier Reef Blog

This tour is special in so many ways, and is unrivalled to all other reef tours in Far North Queensland. First of all, it has the shortest open water crossing to get to the Great Barrier Reef. Fantastic news for anyone prone to motion sickness.
Although this tour is a ‘Reef’ tour, it includes a ‘River Cruise’ on the journey there with Island activities on arrival. And a huge PLUS to guests that like to avoid the crowds, it has one of the lowest passenger capacities of all the island tours with a maximum of 100 guests.
The destination is to an uninhabited continental island called Normanby in National Park which is part of the archipelago of Frankland Islands. It is located 10km offshore from the mouth of the Russell and Mulgrave Rivers at Russell Heads, which is approximately 45km South-East of Cairns.
The Normanby Island has an abundance of wildlife not only in the water, but also on the island itself. The island is pristine, and has its own rainforest and a fringing reef not far out from its sandy shores. There are also coral gardens located further out from the island for the those that want to explore the deeper waters.

This is not a blog, it is a pitch on how good this Great Barrier Reef 2 day 1 night liveaboard dive trip from Cairns is such good value.
One of our team members wrote it because she thinks it is such an amazing good value Great Barrier Reef tour, she wanted to write about it and put it on our Barrier Reef Australia blog page.
We were not sure it was appropriate to pitch a single tour but we decided on free speech and free opinions so read more if you are inclined, or go to another page now.
From our wonderful Great Barrier Reef Tour Specialist Chelsea
Are you looking for a good value liveaboard Great Barrier Reef scuba diving adventure from Cairns without the crowds?
Do you want the best dive deal money can buy in Cairns?
If your answer is yes, then check out what deals we have on offer with our Great Barrier Reef Tour 2 Day 1 Night Sail, Snorkel and Scuba Dive tour!

If you are scared of the water and the creatures that live there or have never been exposed to an aquatic life in your younger years, but still wish to live out that lifelong dream of seeing the iconic wonders of the world the Great Barrier Reef, then that is okay, we have a tour that will enable you to see the coral reef from above the water and also below the water’s surface without you even getting your hair wet!

If you are travelling to Australia to see the Great Barrier Reef don't forget other iconic attractions such as the rainforest and the amazing wildlife. Do all that and save money with combo package tours.

Booking a cruise ship tour has become the big trend over the last few years as cruises offer such amazing value for an all-inclusive holiday with meals, drinks and entertainment on-board. Every single morning you can wake up to explore a new port or destination or even another country on some cruise ships.